The decline in the frequency of veterinary visits for cats and dogs in the United States is posing a risk to pet health, according to the new Partnership for Preventive Pet Healthcare. The AVMA, American Animal Hospital Association, and 14 other organizations announced the pet health partnership July 18 at the AVMA Annual Convention. The new partnership is planning a multiyear initiative to promote preventive care for pets within the veterinary community and to pet owners.

AVMA

About 8,800 attendees convened July 16-19 in St. Louis for four full days of education, exhibits, and events during the 2011 AVMA Annual Convention. The educational program this year offered more than 600 sessions, and the exhibit hall housed hundreds of booths. The entertainment lineup featured a night at the zoo, a concert, and a comedy show.

Issues

Practice

An agreement between the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers will lead the groups to lobby for a federal law that would set housing standards for egg-laying hens. The groups indicated in a joint statement that their proposal would require more room and cage enrichment, require that euthanasia of egg-laying hens follow AVMA guidelines, require housing-related labels on egg cartons, limit ammonia levels in henhouses, and prohibit feed or water withdrawal to extend laying.

Community

Legends: Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, president of Gambia from 1970-1994, led his nation to peace for many years. But before he entered politics, Dr. Jawara studied veterinary medicine at the University of Glasgow. He returned to his native land and served the rural farmers as one of the country's only veterinarians for a few years before he found his ultimate calling.